Privacy Policy

Scope

This policy applies to both the Cat Scanner mobile app (Android and iOS) and the CatScanner.org website. Where a feature is app-only or website-only, we say so. By using either, you agree to this policy.

Information We Collect

• •Account information: your email address and name when you create an account (managed through our authentication provider, Supabase).
• •Photos you provide: images you capture with your camera or choose from your gallery to identify a cat. The app requests camera and photo-library permission only for this purpose.
• •Community content: photos, captions, comments and profile details you choose to post in the community feed. This content is visible to other users.
• •Location (optional): if you tap "detect location" when creating a community post, we use your device location once to fill in a place name. You can skip this or type a location manually. We also derive approximate location from your IP address.
• •Usage and device data: scans performed, screens used, app version, device type and similar diagnostic information.
• •Advertising identifiers (app): your device advertising ID may be used to show ads, as described below.
• •Payment information: purchases are processed by the app store or our payment provider — we never see or store your full card details.

How We Use Your Information

• •Provide and operate the breed scanner, AI assistant, community and your account.
• •Process credits, purchases and subscriptions.
• •Show ads and, in the app, offer optional rewarded ads to earn credits.
• •Maintain security, prevent fraud and abuse, and enforce our Terms.
• •Analyze and improve our service and content.
• •Send essential service messages (and marketing only where you have opted in).

Photos and AI Processing

Photos you submit for identification, and questions you ask the AI assistant, are sent to our AI provider (Anthropic) solely to generate your result. They are not used to train AI models.

We may cache a result by an image fingerprint (hash) to speed up repeat scans and reduce cost. You can request deletion of your data at any time.

Advertising (App)

The mobile app may show ads through Google AdMob. AdMob may use your device advertising identifier to provide and measure ads. You can reset or limit ad tracking in your device settings (Android: Settings › Privacy › Ads; iOS: Settings › Privacy & Security › Tracking).

Where required, we ask for your consent and request non-personalized ads by default. See Google’s policy at policies.google.com/technologies/ads for how AdMob handles data.

Community & User Content

Posts, comments and profile photos you share in the community are public to other users. You can edit or delete your own posts and comments at any time, and report content you find objectionable. We may remove content or accounts that violate our Terms.

Cookies and Analytics

On the website we use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site, collecting aggregated, pseudonymous data. You can block cookies in your browser or use Google’s opt-out tools.

Third-Party Service Providers

We share data only with trusted providers who help us run Cat Scanner:

• •Supabase — authentication, database and image storage.
• •Anthropic — AI image analysis and the AI assistant.
• •Google AdMob — advertising in the mobile app.
• •Google Play Billing / RevenueCat — in-app purchases and subscriptions (app).
• •Stripe — payment processing on the website.
• •Google Analytics — website analytics.
• •Cloudflare — website hosting and content delivery.

Payments

In the app, purchases are processed by Google Play (or the Apple App Store) and managed with RevenueCat. On the website, payments are processed by Stripe. These providers handle your payment details under their own privacy policies; Cat Scanner does not store card numbers.

Data Retention

We keep account, scan and community data for as long as your account is active and as needed to comply with legal obligations. When you delete your account we remove your personal data, except where retention is legally required.

Your Rights & Account Deletion

Depending on where you live (including under the GDPR and CCPA), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or export your personal data, and to object to or restrict certain processing. You can delete your account in the app under Profile, or email support@catscanner.org to exercise any of these rights.

Data Security

We use industry-standard measures including encryption in transit (HTTPS) and access controls to protect your data. No method of transmission is 100% secure, but we work hard to safeguard your information.

Children’s Privacy

Cat Scanner is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from them. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

International Users

We operate globally and may process data in countries other than your own. We take steps to ensure your data is protected wherever it is processed.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last updated” date.

Contact Us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at support@catscanner.org.